Egg substitute: 8 best egg replacements

Whether you have an intolerance to eggs, you’re trying to reduce your use of animal products or you just plain ran out – there are a number of reasons why you might want do some baking without eggs in your recipe.

However, eggs play an important role in the flavour, structure and consistency of food, so finding a perfect substitute can be hard. When choosing a replacement, you'll need to consider the main role of the egg in the recipe.

If you're planning to do some baking without eggs, or any other type of cooking without eggs, you need to know if:

Is it a binding agent – combining the ingredients and holding them together?

Is it a moistening agent – adding moisture to the meal?

Is it a leavening agent – helping foods rise and creating a light, airy texture?

Is it used for flavour or appearance – creating a golden-brown colouring and specific taste?

Whatever its use, you'll need to pick a substitute accordingly. It's also likely that you will need to experiment with your options before you find the right one. Here are seven of the best egg replacements to try in your cooking.

For binding:

1. Chia seeds

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When chia seeds are combined with liquid they form a jelly like consistency, which makes an excellent binding agent and egg substitute. To replace one egg, mix one tablespoon of chia seeds with three tablespoons of water and let it sit for 15 minutes.

Best used for: pancakes, waffles, muffins, breads and cookies.

2. Flaxseeds or flaxmeal

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Flaxseeds also create a gel like consistency when mixed with water. Use one part ground flaxseed or flax meal to three parts water and whisk until it becomes gelatinous.

3. Xanthan gum

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Xanthan gum is a substance produced by bacterial fermentation or through synthetic replication. It’s used in foods as a binding agent and thickener. With Xanthan Gum, a little goes a long way – to replace one egg, whip together 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum in 1/4 cup water.

Best used for: muffins, cakes and savoury dishes.

4. Agar-agar or gelatin

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Gelatin and agar-agar can be used as a binding agent instead of eggs, however they're likely to create a more solid consistency in your finished product. Gelatin is derived from animals so vegans might prefer to use agar-agar – an alternative made from a type of seaweed. Both can be bought as unflavoured powder or sheet form in most supermarkets. To replace one egg, mix one tablespoon of gelatin or agar-agar with one tablespoon of water.

Best used for: cakes, brownies, cookies.

For moistening:

5. Unsweetened applesauce

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Applesauce is a popular substitute in recipes where eggs are need for moisture. Replace an egg with ¼ of a cup of applesauce, which can be bought or made at home.

Best used for: muffins, cakes, pancakes.

6. Silken tofu

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Silken tofu – the softer, moister variety of soy bean curd – can used as an egg replacement in denser recipes. Substitute one egg with a ¼ of a cup of puréed tofu.

Best used for: brownies, cakes, slices, eggless scrambles.

For raising:

7. Chickpea water or aquafaba

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When using cans of chickpeas, most of us drain away the liquid. But this liquid – also known as aquafaba – can actually be used as an egg substitute. It has a similar consistency to raw egg whites and it can be whipped into a foamy, meringue like texture. Three tablespoons of aquafaba is equivalent to about one whole egg, while two tablespoons of aquafaba is equivalent to about one egg white. To be used as an egg replacement, it should be whipped before added.

Best used for: meringue, marshmallows, macaroons or nougat.

8. Baking soda and vinegar

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To replace one egg use one teaspoon of baking soda mixed with one tablespoon of white vinegar. It will help create a light, fluffy texture.

What to use instead of eggs for...

The best egg white substitute is Aquafaba, the liquid left over from cooking beans or legumes or the liquid in canned chickpeas or beans.

The best egg yolk substitute is two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, or white vinegar, mixed with half a teaspoon of baking powder.

The best egg wash substitute can actually be a variety of things, such as dairy milk, almond milk, butter, oil, honey, maple syrup, mayonnaise, soy milk, rice milk or yoghurt.

Trying to make cupcakes without eggs? Cupcakes can be made without eggs simply by substituting eggs for mashed banana, applesauce, or flax seeds.

Lauren WilliamsonLauren Williamson is a digital writer, editor and social media fiend who's a huge fan of tackling new wellness trends, eating her way through foreign countries and getting worked up over politics.